Comparative study of the newly-published IEC 61643-311 and -312 for lightning protective component GDT

This paper provided a detailed review of the newly-published IEC61643-311:2013 “Components for low-voltage surge protective devices -Part 311: Performance requirements and test circuits for gas discharge tubes (GDT)” and IEC 61643-312:2013 “Components for low-voltage surge protective devices -Part 312: Selection and application” by comparing to previous GDT standards. The significant changes in the newly-published standard were indicated and summarized. On the base of these changes, the working and application principle of GDT were studied and analyzed, which is very helpful for the development and application of GDT in lightning protection engineering.